September 2017

JESUS.

MUSIC.

FASHION.

ANGELIC SEPTEMBER 2017

2 0 1 7

A U G U S T

4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE T H E L O R D ' S P R A Y E R

This issue marks four years that we've been a magazine. And to a greater extent it signifies our pursuit to fulfill the call on our ministry as we step on our trail to year five.

Inside of this issue we are reflecting on our journey and realizing the molding God has done on our ministry.

And as our ode to Him, we are dedicating this issue to His prayer, The Lord's Prayer.

Cheers to a new chapter of adventure.

-- Jesse Anaya

THE 4 YEAR ANN

ANGE

JESUS. MUSI

NIVERSARY ISSUE

ELIC

IC. FASHION.

4 YEARS. A LOOK BACK IN T REFLECTIONS OF ANGELIC

I

'S

BEGINNING

B Y J E S S E A N A Y A

remember days had gone by and my voice messages went unreturned.

The fashion show was in a week and we had a couple hundred RSVPs. I was 26 years old and not what I was doing but my ignorance was bliss and I attacked the pursuit that waded ahead of me.

And I remember my sent emails went ignored.

I had received clearance from an admin inside of the church months prior, the mega­church I served attended, that we could hold a fashion show on their sprawling central Phoenix, Arizona city campus.

I was walking in my open road, stalking the pursuit to be bold for Jesus.

A week before the event, when the church leaders saw postings on social media that a fashion sh being held inside their walls, it was news to them and I was notified that the event must be cancele didn't want their brand to be associated with such an event as this.

I attempted to reach who was in charge of this decision and my phone calls went ignored. A week h by and my emails went unanswered.

They couldn't see the vision that – fashion was merely the tool to get people to come to church. It instrument to communicate Jesus to an audience that maybe didn't know Him, an audience that desir of His love. What these religious leaders didn't understand was, this was mission work. We weren't s into the fashion world, we were bringing the fashion world back to Jesus.

We had fashion designers lined up for the show, a modeling agency was providing models to w runway and a full team of hair and makeup artists were styling each look. Modesty and sleek fashi the focus. I used my contacts from fashion photography to piece the puzzle together. We had a pra worship singer performing during the show and the music I'd DJ that night would be entirely Jesu with beats.

The church didn't see that an army of people outside of the church were willing to put their reputatio talents and their brands on the hook, inviting their friends and their followings to come to God's hous fashion show with music of faith intertwined through each moment of it.

"I WAS INSPIRED TO NOT EVER BE IN A POSITION AGAIN WHERE I HAD TO ASK FOR PERMISSION OR CONVINCE MAN SO THAT I COULD DO SOMETHING BOLD FOR GOD. "

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The only brand that wasn't on board – was the church.

They couldn't see the vision of JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION and to some extent I couldn't see the fullness of it at that time either.

Two days before the fashion show, I approached the pastor in charge of this decision at the weekly Wednesday night service. Up until this point I hadn't canceled the show. On the surface no one knew except me and the church leaders that I was told the fashion show must be canceled.

The pastor was caught off­guard and his body language showed signs of being flustered as he repeatedly avoided eye contact as we communicated with one another. I wasn't confrontational but explained that the heart of the night wasn't to dilute the image of God – but bring the world to His church.

Whatever was said, whatever words that were prayed, the next day, the day before an audience of people would be stepping onto the campus grounds, I received notification stating the church was giving me clearance to continue with the show.

I was grateful.

And I was inspired to not ever be in a position again where I had to ask for permission or convince man so that I could do something bold for God.

This was April of 2012.

A few months later, that summer I moved back to my home state of California, to the beaches of north San Diego.

One year had passed and the constant floating of JESUS. MUSIC. FASHION was alive in my spirit but I didn't know how to put it all together. I was a DJ with dreams and fashion photographer wandering.

In September 2013, the debut issue of Angelic Magazine came out. It was 24 pages and covered Jesus, music and fashion content from San Diego and Phoenix. I was once a writer for my college newspaper and had never designed or developed a magazine but my ignorance ­­ or I'd like to now say determination and confidence proved to be bliss once again.

It's been four years since that debut issue and five years since the beginning days of this desire to blend music and fashion for God. I am now 31 and Angelic Magazine has released an issue on the first of every month for the last four years, and each month I'm learning more about who I want to be for God and how He wants me to do ministry for Him. I've learned that I can't have a chip on my shoulder in interacting with church or ministry leaders; that's exactly what the devil wants. I want to encourage those with vision and passion who cross our path to run after the pursuit God has set before them. I want to link arms with others because I have genuine desire to unite in the name of Jesus.

We are more powerful as an army of people than we'll ever be by ourselves.

In these years my greatest struggle has not been in sharing God out in the world but I've

received my most resistance from Christians. I've never received backlash from an atheist but I've heard whispers of criticism from Christ followers. Ministries want to compete for followings and name recognition, and I choose not to have this be the spirit of our ministry.

This month we are uniting with churches, ministries and worship teams across the greater Lexington, KY region for an outdoor night of worship in the name of Jesus called UNITE. The heart of this event is to unite the body of Christ and become the church ­­ a church without brands and a church without walls.

Last fall we did this event in the city of Phoenix and I am inspired for the next place, the next destination and the next mission field God sends our ministry too.

Four years ago I didn't know if that first issue would be the only issue Angelic Magazine would release. In these four years God has spread our magazine content from coast to coast, allowed us to connect with readers abroad and has given us hope for the someday's and tomorrow's.

I am not alone in this journey, Angelic Magazine has a team of people who I can confidently say are passionate about seeking Him and the purposes He has placed on their lives. We are a team and I am proud to walk alongside of them as we respond to His call.

In the Instagram driven culture that we live, it's important to me that we step beyond the comfort of digital media. I yearn for authentic interactions. Real conversations and real community. Eating meals and breaking bread with strangers who will soon become our friends.

"IN THE INSTAGRAM DRIVEN CULTURE THAT WE LIVE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE STEP BEYOND THE COMFORT OF DIGITAL MEDIA."

I don't know what awaits Angelic Magazine as we walk towards year five but I know that I'm driven to be a part of uniting the body of Christ. I'm inspired to run after the dreams God has placed in my heart and encourage others to do the same.

No longer do I photograph fashion photography and my turntables don't spin as often as they once did. My tools have changed but my passion has remained the same: to be bold for Jesus.

There's a quote that says, "What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches."

In my pursuit of God ­­ beyond our magazine pages, our social media posts and our events, I need to be true in my walk with Him because if I'm not, the ministry of Angelic Magazine is a fraud.

I am inspired for year five as we walk that open road with Jesus.

L E X , K Y P H O T O ­ S H O O T F E A T U R E D S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

O W N S B Y. N A S H V I L L E S I N G E R ­ S O N G W R I T E R S .

F E A T U R E D S P R I N G 2 0 1 7

P H X , A Z F A S H I O N P H O T O S H O O T F E A T U R E D F A L L 2 0 1 4

T H E A D V A N C E ­ W O R S H I P B A N D P H X , A Z / / F E A T U R E D S P R I N G 2 0 1 4

T A Y L O R A N D E R S O N P E R F O R M I N G A T A N G E L I C M A G A Z I N E ' S J E S U S . M U S I C . F A S H I O N . S H O W F A L L 2 0 1 3

A N G E L I C ' S 2 0 1 2

F A S H I O N W E E

2 C O V E R A G E O F

E K S A N D I E G O

B O S T O N P H O T O S H O O T S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

H A W A I I P H O T O S H O O T S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

M I S S I O N T R I P I S S U E S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

A N G E L I C A T H A R V E S T N I G H T O F W O R S H I P L E X I N G T O N , K Y / / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

S O U T H E R N U T A H P H O T O S H O O T S P R I N G 2 0 1 6

B I R M I N G H A M , A L W E D D I N G P H O T O S H O O T S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

P O R T L A N D , O R W E D D I N G F E A T U RE W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

O K C W E D D I N G F E A T U R E S P R I N G 2 0 1 7

H A L E Y B E T L E M ­ W O R S H I P S I N G E R S A N D I E G O , C A / / F E A T U R E D F A L L 2 0 1 3

F O S T E R S O N P E R F O R M I N G A T A N G E L I C M A G A Z I N E ' S U N I T E P H O E N I X C O N C E R T F A L L 2 0 1 6

A T L A N T A P H O T O S H O O T F E A T U R E D S P R I N G 2 0 1 7

WE ARE JESUS. M

MUSIC. FASHION.

THE LORD

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VERSE ONE

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y J E S S I C A B I L L S L A W S O N M O D E L : E L I S H A L O C A T I O N : L A J O L L A , C A W O R D S B Y A N G I E L A N G

OUR FATHER B Y A N G I E L A N G

I

t was loud all around us, and people crowded close. Even with his grey, thinning hair bobbing above the crowd, I was afraid to lose him and a part of me longed to reach for his hand. Even at twenty­seven, some things never changed between a daughter and her father.

The Ferris wheel lit up against the night sky and I lost him for a moment as I stopped to capture the sky above. When he noticed my absence he waited, until I fell into step beside him again. The crowds became thicker as we made our way down the hill, and our conversation was quiet as the sounds grew louder.

It wasn’t until we stopped, resting by the waterfalls that I laid my head on his shoulder. “I love you, Dad,” I’d said to him, and he’d responded in turn.

I meant those three words. There were so many days when loving him was a choice, when turning back after being stung by harsh words required more grace than I could muster on my own. But on that hill, in the cool summer evening, I wasn’t thinking of all that. I was thinking of this man – gray haired and a

a mischievous twinkle ­ he was mine and I was his. My blood that beat through my veins was as much his as it was mine and although there were days I’d argue differently, I mirrored him in ways that surpassed my family name.

Not every moment with my dad has been marked with words of love by a waterfall. Sometimes the waterfall between us is my own tears, my own pain, and there are so many times when I expect the same from God. I expect Him to be the same as my earthly father. I expect harshness when all I really need is grace, or I fear his disappointment when I don’t measure up. But the beginning of the Lord’s prayer echoes two words, our father, and there are days when I hear that word and it stings. Yet there’s a purpose in those two words, in knowing who I am and who God is to me, because I’ve learned that our relationship with our father is meant to point us to the one above.

So when my Dad fails, I must look up and seek God’s grace.

When my Dad succeeds, I must look up and praise His name.

Both of these require me to look up

and to see God in every season, in every moment, in every laugh and in every tear.

Present, steadfast, and never­changing. Filling in the gaps where my earthly father failed and rejoicing in the moments when he was Jesus’ hands and feet.

Because that’s what Our Father does. And that’s what God deserves – a hallowed name.

And so I’ll pray His name, our Father, with both tears and joy, knowing that God is redeeming each moment, each heartache, to reveal more of who He is.

More of my Father.

WHAT DOES THE LORD'S PRAYER MEAN TO YOU?

PHOTOGRAPHER INSIGHT

The Lord's Prayer These words rang from the pews to the steeple. They were illuminated in the light of stain­glass windows and incense filled air. It was apart of the tradition of my upbringing ­­to hold hands and say this assortment of words. The Lord's prayer was spoken on my lips far before a plead for a Savior ever was.

As much as I ran from God, a whisper from Him always caught up to me.

Finally I ran too far. It was silent. The night had come.

Hope had been extinguished. But in the darkness, in many dark times, I heard: "Thy will be done."

"Thy will be done."

And my heart caught a spark of hope.

These words don't leave me. Just as they haven't left hundreds of thousands of people that also were told to memorize them. A spark can come at any time. And Jesus can become real to any one. ­ Jessica Bills Lawson

VERSE TWO THY KINGDOM COME

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y C H A R I S S I M S M O D E L S : F I L I P P O P P A & N A T A S A R A F I N C H E N L O C A T I O N : L A P U S H , W A W O R D S B Y S H E L I A H A L E

MY KINGDOM COME B Y S H E L I A H A I L

My Kingdom is different. It looks different, feels different, sounds different and acts different.

Sometimes it looks like the people around you who serve the homeless a warm meal. Other times it looks like the stay at home mom having coffee with her friend who’s going through a hard time; listening and encouraging her in My truth. My Kingdom is for the poor, the outcast, for the beaten, for the one who thinks they have it all together but really don’t. It’s different for a reason.

My Kingdom is flourishing, yet incomplete here on earth. When My people are asking Me how to love better, how to bridge the gaps between the separated, and how to help redeem a broken society; my Kingdom has come.

At times my Kingdom is in the midst of you, dancing among your daily life, breathing deep within your souls and throughout your being… and other times its obsolete.

When My people turn their heads, their minds, their hearts into themselves and institute condemnation instead of forgiveness, beatings instead of mending, yelling instead of listening, and fall deaf to My Spirit ­ I see there is still much to be done on this Sphere.

My Kingdom is for you. I am so deeply in love with you, I want you interwoven within My glorious Kingdom. You are part of My “Kingdom come” child. You are part of this perfect plan of bringing hope and my Kingdom here on this planet, place of growth and life. You have the divine opportunity to dream with Me, to step in step with Me, to ask the biggest questions you can ask, and to LIVE deeper within this beautiful creation I have made.

The Kingdom has come, just allow me to work through you to bring it into its fullness.

My Kingdom has come, it is coming, and will continue to come… do you have the eyes to see it and do you have the ears to hear it?

In time and place it will be complete.

WHAT DOES THE LORD'S PRAYER MEAN TO YOU?

PHOTOGRAPHER INSIGHT

The Lord`s Prayer is the most powerful prayer because Jesus teaches us to pray the same language as Him. Jesus, first, begins by addressing God as His Father. This means God is beyond an idea, He is a loving Father who calls me to life. Jesus gives his church an exact model of communication with His Father. Jesus proceeds to share our mandate, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Heaven invading Earth brings life to the lifeless and hope to the hopeless.

His kingdom brings solutions and answers when I only have problems. He teaches me the value of forgiveness.

Since He forgave my debt, I now have the capacity to forgive others. Jesus claims my identity as a child of God, presents the mandate of heaven, declares I have been released from evil and now I am free! ­ Charis Sims

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n the hours before Jesus was to be arrested, publicly beaten, mocked, given a crown of thorns and nailed to a cross to die, He prayed a prayer.

He asked God if there was another way for people to be saved through Him instead of death on a cross? Scripture tells us Jesus was in anguish and prayed earnestly. The scriptures tell us His sweat looked like drops of blood falling from Him as He prayed.

But something really important was prayed in Jesus’ prayer. He told God, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 He prayed for God’s will to prevail, not His own.

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior wanted His own will to come to pass but He asked for God’s will to be lived out instead. Are you prepared to pray that prayer? A prayer of surrendering your wants and desires to God so that His wants and desires for you will come to life?

The author A.W. Tozer has a great quote that reads, "Outside the will of God, there's nothing I want. Inside the will of God, there's nothing I fear."

Through God’s will on our life we get to experience the richness and live out the full purpose of who He’s called us to be for Him. Outside of His will there is nothing that I want, and inside it there is nothing I will ever fear.

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MORGAN HELM

ANGELICTESTIMONY

would have started my testimony with the day I chose to accept the

in only six months was over, I was finally in this, place anticipating all that was to

heart and I would have shared stories from my past that made me

come and then this happens, with the many mixed emotions to follow. I was grateful

e so deep that only He could quench it, but I wanted to approach

for God’s timing and intervention in the situation and I would try to lean into Him

fferently this time. I want to share what the Lord is currently doing

and slowly into what was happening, but then I would rage at Him for the simple fact

ause it’s what I’m facing here and now. In February of this year, I

that this DID happen. My reaction was my biggest triumph and my biggest weakness.

transition; I moved with my family from the very popular and

I’ll have my weeks where I am captivated and inspired by His word and the personal

of Denver to a small rural town called Elizabeth, and aside from

message I receive, but then I’ll have my weeks where I don’t dare open my bible or

wildly loving and adventurous friends, it was one of the best

read my Proverbs 31 devotions. I felt weak, I lost control, I lost a sense of myself and

d ever made. It was an opportunity to escape from the loud city I

of hope and I genuinely felt that there were no other great plans for me. Boy, was I

r nearly 20 years and discover a place that felt like home, a home

wrong. Recently, I came across a post on ‘Angelic Magazine’s ’ Instagram that

us Casper. Everything here was different; the scenery, the smell of

interested me and while I was scrolling through their profile I saw one that hit home,

en the way the snow fell. On the second evening of settling in, I

“ God gives you dreams. The devil tells you why they won’t come true. Who are you

mother frantically describing my current condition to the emergency

going to believe?” This is my DAILY struggle. I begin to listen to the doubt the

my father calling my name to help me regain consciousness, to the

enemy whispers into my ear when my heart is ruthlessly pushing me towards the

hts flashing outside and to the EMT’s entering our home. I had

miracle Jesus has planned for me. Either I can choose fear and doubt or I can choose

y second gran­mal seizure in three years and all I could feel was

faith and grace. It’s a choice. A pride swallowing, control rendering, fully

d sharp sting coming from where I had hit my head and how

surrendering choice and I’m still in that hard and uncomfortable process. When I was

as sweating. I remembered nothing of the incident, but the few

younger, I would boogie board at the Platte River in Casper, WY. and when I was 11,

recall were my parents and I sharing in our excitement to be in this

I had been pushed out of the wave because of the strong current that year and sucked

ore walking up the stairs and it suddenly going dark. I was 21 years

under the water for what felt like a lifetime. I was kicking and fighting to reach the

d my first seizure and as scary as that was, I was fortunate enough

surface but all it did was make things worse, so I accepted what was happening; I

st friend Talia (and roommate at the time) there to call for help, but

thought of how much I loved my dad and my family and as soon as I did stop

s an unnerving fear. A week before, to the day, I would have been

fighting, I resurfaced. Of course when I did come up, I immediately got out of the

partment packing for the move and the thoughts that still cross my

water and told my nanna (very dramatically I might add) what had happened, to

w long would it have been until I woke up?”,“How many times

which she replied, “It was just a whirlpool, you’re wearing a life vest and you were

or anyone who was trying to contact me before they would start to

only under water for fifteen seconds”…all three very good points aside, to this day

ediately following the seizure, I was seen by a neurologist who

that is my purest feeling, memory and definition of surrender. When I tried to fight, it

with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy; JME for short. This form of

only caused more chaos and when I finally let go is when I resurfaced. After my

ops in childhood and the patient will normally grow out if by

seizure, my nanna told me that He would use me and this experience for something

et in his 30 years of practice, I was the eldest patient he had seen

and once I received an email from Angelic Magazine asking to share my testimony in

ecially since it had unknowingly emerged in my childhood with my

this issue, I thought, maybe this is how He will begin to use me… and just maybe it

twitches and jerks and most of all, how frequently I would (and

would be a sweet reminder for you that not a single person in history hasn't been

l do) “zone out” and forget what I was doing or talking about.

where you’re standing right now and hasn't made it through. There’s a verse I

ws, I was thankful for having been given my diagnosis, for proper

stumble upon each time God see’s me doubting and without fail, it rules my heart

take care of myself, and for the appropriate medication, but the

with peace. It’s Romans 5:3­5, “Not only that, be we rejoice in our sufferings,

swallow was not having my independence and not being able to get

knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and

own. I came here with a goal: I was grateful to have the chance to

character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has

parents in order to finally pay off my school loans, any previous

been poured into our hearts though the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” My

d my credit and to save enough to get back on my feet and to

biggest fear in writing my testimony was feeling the need to portray this perfect faith

e stress of continuing at a job that I didn't necessarily enjoy and of

but it wouldn’t be true and these are the words of a woman and a warrior who

e third time in only six months was over, I was finally in this, place

sometimes sinks but is always pulled right back to the surface in her relationship with

l that was to come and then this happens, with the many mixed

a King. We’ve all got battles that we’re fighting and we’ve all got blessings that

ollow. I was grateful for God’s timing and intervention in the

we’re counting, life is never going to go according to our plans, but that’s because it

would try to lean into Him and slowly into what was happening,

was never about our plans to begin with. Wherever this road does take me, and

uld rage at Him for the simple fact that this DID happen. My

however He continues to use me, I must always try to trust that His plans are bigger

my biggest triumph and my biggest weakness. I’ll have my weeks

and better than my dreams with reassurance in this truth: it may be a beautifully

aptivated and inspired by His word and the personal message I

rough journey, but everything will be okay. He’s got me and He’s got you too.

VERSE FOUR

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K A T R I N A T H A X T O N M O D E L : C A L I S T A R U A T L O C A T I O N : S E A T T L E , W A W O R D S B Y E M I L Y S E N F F

GIVE US THIS DAY b y e m i l y s e n f f

How often do we thank God before He provides? I was first introduced to the idea of Eucharisteo ­ thanksgiving that precedes a miracle ­ when I read Ann Voskamp's 1000 Gifts. When Jesus fed the 4000 or raised Lazarus from the grave, he gave thanks to God before any action took place. When we look at what is happening in the world around us, communicating to God from a posture of gratitude certainly isn't easy; but gratitude is independent of what has happened, and even of what is soon to come. Living with gratitude means thanking God regardless of the circumstances that make up any given day.

While wandering through the wilderness, God gave the Israelites manna, a food that was only good if they took exactly what was needed for the day. Any more, and it would go bad; any less, and they would not be sustained. Even today, He protects the flowers and the birds; He knows each of us by name. I am reminded of His love for us whenever I read about what He has done, both past and present.

We are loved by a God who knows our every need and provides for us day in and day out. We don't have to live in anxiety or fear of the days ahead; in fact, when we do, we become distracted from the very manna God has placed in front of us. Manna today might look different than it did for the Israelites, but God is still the same. Here and now, He is still our provider. The day we are in is worthy of pause, of gratitude, of celebration as we see God showing up in the big and small of our lives.

"Give us this day our daily bread" comes from an expectant, grateful heart. It come from a heart that is content with what God offers, and focused on the here and now. Today is a beautiful place to be.

VERSE FIVE

FORGIVE US OUR

TRESPASSES “And Forgive Us Our Debts”

by Jonny Gorash Every day ends in debt. I just can’t win. In fact, I can’t even break even—never have. I’ve been gambling away my blood since the beginning, purchasing lust, anger, and greed pint after pint after shame­soaked pint—debt so deep it’ll take oceans to fill. That’s the story, day after day.

So, the one who filled the oceans came to me. You wouldn’t believe what he did.

He gave up his son to pay my penalty, a death sentence no less. The son, the Prince of peace, went willingly to the slaughter for the very debt that I owed him.

It still doesn’t make sense to me. The King of kings made me his own son after this, but can you guess what I did?

Day after day, I fell into debt. I owe him a son like the Prince of peace, living a life with a soul that bleeds hope, faith, and love constantly. Every day I fall short of that sum, like skipping stones to the sun. So every day, I ask, “forgive me my debts.” You wouldn’t believe it—he does. Day after week after month after year, he rejoices in showing mercy to me.

This is where grace reigns.

Welcome to the family.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US

VERSE SIX

B Y J E S S E A N A Y A

The people we care about aren’t supposed to hurt us, right? But so often, it’s the people we love who do hurt us because our hurt is a manifestation that they mattered to us. If they didn’t matter, we wouldn’t care.

The barrier which prevents us from forgiving them is our own pride.

Pride says, "I’m too proud to forgive you." Pride says you hurt me and rather than forgiving you I’m going to hold the hurt and pain inside. The wall you’ve made me put up, I’m not putting it down for you again.

Our unforgiveness is the hurt we’re trying to mask. But what if we let all that hurt go? What if we handed it over to Jesus and freed ourselves from the pain? And what if we chose to replace the pride that says they hurt us and switch it with praying for that person?

Because to pray for someone is to love them, and to love them is to unburden yourself from the pain. The interesting aspect about praying for the person who hurt you is that indirectly that person is connecting you to Jesus. And to connect with Jesus is to become more like Him, and to be like Jesus is to unconditionally forgive, pray and love those who hurt you.

Luke 23:33­34 “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them” Lord, give me a heart of forgiveness and give me a mind that lives in peace with people. I want to love like you love. Help me to love when I don't feel like loving. And help me to pray for people when I don't feel like praying. Work in my heart every time I decide not to love or forget to. I ask you Jesus to give me your heart.

UNITE UNITING THE GREATER LEXINGTON COMMUNITY IN JESUS' NAME.

RED RIVER GORGE WEDDING

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IMAGINE A CITY WHERE ALL THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES WORKED TOGETHER. WHERE ALL OF THE MUSICIANS WHO CRIED OUT IN JESUS' NAME CAME TOGETHER. WHERE THE COMMUNITY AND THE CREATIVES DECIDED TO CREATE TOGETHER. WHAT IF LEXINGTON UNITED IN JESUS' NAME? LET'S UNITE AS ONE.

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VERSE SEVEN

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y C H A R I S S I M S M O D E L : A N N A N A I L L O C A T I O N : F R A N K L I N , T N W O R D S B Y J E S S E A N A Y A

LEAD US NOT INTO

TEMPTATION B Y J E S S E A N A Y A

My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.

Lead me not into temptation, God. Holy Spirit, please lead me.

I am not asking that you take me out of the world.

But that you protect me.

That you awaken my beating heart to your love.

Sin tries to confuse me.

Amuse me with lies.

Spirit lead me.

My spirit wants to be in harmony with you God, but my flesh desires what is contrary to my spirit. Give me Your spirit, God. Give me the words to pray so that I will not fall into temptation.

Be with me in prayer.

Hold me close.

Please hold me close.

Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.

My spirit is willing.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K A T I E V A S Q U E Z ­ M O D E L S : E M M A R O Y & S U M M E R P H I L L I P S ­ L O C A T I O N : B

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DELIVER US FROM EVIL

VERSE EIGHT

B Y L A U R E N P R A T H E R

Delivery from evil does not just happen, you must surrender. Our creator gives us the choice to what we will surrender ourselves. Whether you surrender yourself to Jesus or to evil, surrender is inevitable.

You can give yourself to something that will encapsulate you, ensnare you, engulf you in to something you seemingly want. It may seem like a way out, but really it is a way in. In to darkness, in to enslavement. You surrender bits and pieces of yourself to the point of misrecognition.

But then there is Jesus. Society tells us more and more that He is the not what you want. It misguides you to believe that Jesus doesn’t provide what He is.

Jesus is freedom. Jesus is the delivery. Surrendering to Him is the breath of life that never stops filling you up.

His breath gives you the desire to walk for Him, to seek the person He made you to be. To look at evil and not be lead to it. To see truth, seek truth, and shine a light in to darkness.

Jesus is a savior that doesn’t wait for you to be perfect before he will love you.

He will meet you there in darkness. He will take your hand and walk you through to light. Jesus is the delivery that will only keep delivering more.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 Jesus light my feet and guide them to be delivered unto you for all of my days.

WHAT DO LORD'S P MEAN T

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I lived with my grandparent consistently hear them saying after their daily devotions. A the Lord's prayer also speaks alone when you pray and he many words. We are to app Him, depend on Him for our and we are to run to Him in much freedom and beauty in t simple because God sees our h ­ Katie Vasquez

OES THE PRAYER TO YOU?

HER INSIGHT

ts growing up and I would g the Lord's prayer together Aside from the sentimentality, s simplicity. Jesus says to be e says we don't need to use proach God as Father, praise physical and spiritual needs, n our temptation. There is so this realization that we can be hearts.

VERSE NINE

FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y L A U R E N N E E L Y M O D E L : P E T E R & L A U R E N R O W E L O C A T I O N : P A L M S P R I N G S, C A W O R D S B Y K A Y T I E G A U S

FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY B Y K A Y T I E G A U S

In Matthew 6, Jesus was teaching the disciples how to pray and as he neared the end of the prayer, Jesus ended it in a very specific way saying, "For Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen."

Why would Jesus instruct the disciples and us today, to end our prayers with that line? Not only is it a beautiful conclusion to a powerful prayer, it is a great reminder and declaration for us to live our lives.

"For Yours is the Kingdom." This line reminds us, that God owns everything here on Earth. The lakes, the trees, our houses, our jobs, our churches, it is all His. By praying this phrase, we are reminded that we are God's stewards of everything here on Earth. Even the things we pray for, God owns and oversees, and will only give to us if He sees necessary.

"The power." We are to remind and acknowledge God's power over everything. God can cause and allow all things. God likes us to revel in his power and majesty, acknowledging He IS the power in Heaven and on earth.

"And the glory, forever." Our prayers should end with us acknowledging and marveling at God's glory. The kingdom and power belong to Him, and we should be amazed and submissive to those facts. We should come to God on bended knew in wonder of everything He can do.

God is glorious forever. God knows no time, time is infinite, and he will remain glorious for all time.

So, why should we end our prayers in this way? We know God can do all things, and He promises to give us what we need, by asking for it in prayer. In concluding this way, we are acknowledging that he is powerful, owns everything under the sun, and that He is good and wonderful.

Reflect on this verse. Don't you feel humbled? Humbled to be in direct communication with the One who oversees all? Oversees all the depths of the world and our hearts, and still chooses to love us.

Amen.

WHAT DOES THE LORD'S PRAYER MEAN TO YOU?

PHOTOGRAPHER INSIGHT

The Lord’s Prayer has been ingrained in me for as long as I can remember. To be honest, it used to feel methodical to me, as though saying those words checked a box on a Christian to­do list. As I’ve grown, the Lord’s Prayer has become something much more significant. In the verses right before the actual prayer, we are told to pray alone in our rooms, unseen. For me, the Lord’s Prayer is an invitation to a profoundly personal relationship with God. How freeing, that it’s not about putting on a show, but instead, it’s about being alone and present with God, who already knows our every need. ­ Lauren Neely